Looking at the current state of affairs, assuming NHL player participation in the Olympics, don't you guys think that a lot more Penguins might be involved than most people would think. I mean if we use the "Marleau-Thornton-Heatley" logic, wouldn't it make sense? When I look at all of these mock rosters that include those guys from Edmonton, I just shake my head. If you are picking your team don't you go with WINNERS and CHEMISTRY? Instead of Eberle, Hall, or Nugent-Hopkins shouldn't they go with Kunitz (w/ Crosby), St. Louis (w/ Stamkos), and Neal (one of the lead's best goal scorers and has history with Kunitz)? Give me talent and WINNERS! I think Letang and Fleury are locks anyhow. Thoughts and any of that? (not just the Pittsburgh angle because I LOVE St. Louis and I thought him not being in the Olympics last time was total BS!)

Just don't really see a place for Neal...there are other snipers in the league, faster ones too...there isn't much that Neal does that makes him super special to a team as stacked as Canada's...I can see someone making a case for him...but his chemistry is with Malkin, not Crosby. I just can't really find a place for him, especially on a big rink...that's part of the reason why Thornton didn't make my squad...normally I'd bring him as a 4th liner because he can play the role and he can shutdown other teams lines...

mikey287 wrote:Just don't really see a place for Neal...there are other snipers in the league, faster ones too...there isn't much that Neal does that makes him super special to a team as stacked as Canada's...I can see someone making a case for him...but his chemistry is with Malkin, not Crosby. I just can't really find a place for him, especially on a big rink...that's part of the reason why Thornton didn't make my squad...normally I'd bring him as a 4th liner because he can play the role and he can shutdown other teams lines...

Fair enough. The bolded statement is why I cannot believe St. Louis did not make the roster last time. Speed and skill wins in the Olympics...PERIOD

Sid and Letang. I think thats it. I don't think any one player gets on the team because they are good with one of the top players that's on the roster; that would limit your options severely, which they don't have to do.

Not sure if Neal would be all that good on the bigger ice surface. He is not the best skater, I don't think he would be effective in a 3rd or 4th line and he sure as heck won't see top PP minutes.

The guy has a cannon and is somewhat defensively responsible but he wouldn't add much more to this already stacked roster. That being said, I can certainly see him being on the taxi squad for injury replacement.